Electronic equalizing reservoir controller with pneumatic penalty override and reduction limiting

ABSTRACT

A control system which allows electro-pneumatic control of an equalizing reservoir with the capacity to create penalty applications in a purely pneumatic manner. A controller for the equalizing reservoir includes an electro-pneumatic source of pressure or atmosphere responsive to an electrical equalizing pressure control signal and a pilot valve selectively connecting the electro-pneumatic source or atmosphere to the equalizing reservoir in response to pressure in a pilot port of the first pilot valve. A magnetic valve is provided having a first input connected to a second source of pressure, a second input connected to atmosphere and an output connected to the pilot port of the first pilot valve. At least one penalty valve is connected to the pilot input of the first pilot valve and is responsive to a penalty signal to connect the pilot input to atmosphere. A fourth valve has a first input connected to the second input of the first pilot valve and an output connected to a third source of pressure lower than pressure in the equalizing reservoir prior to a penalty signal. The fourth valve connects its first input to its output in response to a penalty signal. A method of initializing the electro-pneumatic source of pressure or atmosphere responsive to an electrical equalizing pressure control signal

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present system relates generally to brake control systems and morespecifically to a controller for an equalizing reservoir of a rail brakesystem, which includes a brake pipe controlled by a relay valve inresponse to pressure in the equalizing reservoir.

Prior rail brake systems have had either fully-pneumatic control of theequalizing reservoir (ER) or electro-pneumatic control of the ER. Onsystems which use fully-pneumatic ER control, penalty brake applicationswere created by exhausting a previously pressurized penalty pipe. Thiscaused a subsequent pneumatic exhaust of the ER and brake application.On systems which use electro-pneumatic ER control, penalty brakeapplications are signaled to the brake system by electrical signals. TheER is then reduced to apply the brakes via electro-pneumatic control.Prior brake systems including ER controllers are illustrated in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,036,284 and 6,318,811.

To limit the penalty reduction of the equalizing reservoir, priorsystems have used reduction limiting reservoirs. Penalty applicationvalves connect the reduction limiting reservoir to the equalizationreservoir for a penalty and cuts off the control from the brake valve.The pressure in the equalizing reservoir is reduced until the tworeservoir stabilize. After termination of the penalty, control istransferred back to the brake valve and the reduction limiting reservoiris emptied. Two such systems are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,623,777 and4,491,372

A control system which allows electro-pneumatic control of an equalizingreservoir with the capacity to create penalty applications in a purelypneumatic manner is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,087. The controllerfor the equalizing reservoir includes an electro-pneumatic source ofpressure or atmosphere responsive to an electrical equalizing pressurecontrol signal and a pilot valve selectively connecting theelectro-pneumatic source or atmosphere to the equalizing reservoir inresponse to pressure in a pilot port of the first pilot valve. Amagnetic valve is provided having a first input connected to a secondsource of pressure, a second input connected to atmosphere and an outputconnected to the pilot port of the first pilot valve. At least onepenalty valve is connected to the pilot input of the first pilot valveand is responsive to a penalty signal to connect the pilot input toatmosphere. The pilot valve and the penalty valve pneumatically producea brake application regardless of the state of the magnetic valve or itscontroller.

The present control system allows electro-pneumatic control of ER butwith the capacity to create penalty applications in a purely pneumaticmanner and reduction limiting. A controller for an ER includes anelectro-pneumatic source of pressure or atmosphere responsive to anelectrical equalizing pressure control signal and a first pilot valveselectively connecting the electro-pneumatic source or atmosphere at afirst input or a second input to the equalizing reservoir in response topressure in a pilot port of the first pilot valve. A magnetic valve isprovided having a first input connected to a second source of pressure,a second input connected to atmosphere and an output connected to thepilot port of the first pilot valve. At least one penalty valve isconnected to the pilot input of the first pilot valve and is responsiveto a penalty signal to connect the pilot input to atmosphere. A fourthvalve has a first input connected to the second input of the first pilotvalve and an output connected to a third source of pressure lower thanpressure in the equalizing reservoir prior to a penalty signal. Thefourth valve connects its first input to its output in response to apenalty signal.

A method is disclosed for controlling pressure for an equalizingreservoir of a rail brake system which includes a brake pipe controlledby a relay valve in response to pressure in the equalizing reservoir andwhich includes an electro-pneumatic source of pressure or atmospherehaving a closed loop system responsive to an electrical equalizingpressure control signal. The method includes measuring pressure in theequalizing reservoir after a penalty reduction of reservoir pressure;initially setting the electrical equalizing pressure control signal tothe measured equalizing reservoir pressure after a penalty; andsubsequently the activating closed loop system of the electro-pneumaticsource of pressure or atmosphere to control the pressure of theequalizing reservoir to the electrical equalizing pressure controlsignals.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of the invention, whenconsidered in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a controller for an equalizing reservoir of theprior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a controller for an equalizing reservoirillustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a controller for an equalizing reservoirillustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a controller for an equalizing reservoirillustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a control of the limiting magnetic valve ofFIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the control of the equalizing reservoir aftera penalty of the prior art.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the control of the equalizing reservoir aftera penalty according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is the equalizing portion of the controller for the equalizingreservoir of U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,087, which is incorporated herein byreference. Where possible the same numbers will be used for sake ofclarity. The controller for the equalizing reservoir is only part of atrain brake control system, as illustrated in the previously mentionedpatents. This equalizing controller may be used with systems other thanthose illustrated in the aforementioned patents.

As shown in the figures, an equalizing reservoir (ER) 10 is connected toand controls a brake pipe relay 12 via line 11. The brake pipe relay 12controls a brake pipe (BP). Also, connected to the brake pipe relay 12is exhaust (EX) and a supply or main reservoir (MR) via line 13. As iswell known, the brake pipe relay 12 receives a reference signal 11 fromthe ER 10 and produces an appropriate pressure in the brake pipe (BP)using exhaust (EX) and pressure from the main reservoir (MR) via line13. Reduction in the pressure in the ER 10 produces a reduction in thepressure in the brake pipe (BP), which reflects a brake application. Anincrease in the pressure in ER 10 creates an increase in the pressure inbrake pipe (BP), which is a brake release signal. The brake pipe cut offand charging circuit have been deleted for sake of clarity. How this isaccomplished is well-known, as illustrated in the above-mentionedpatents.

The main reservoir (MR) is also connected via line 13 to anelectro-pneumatic source of pressure or atmosphere 16, which isresponsive to an electrical equalizing pressure control signal. Theelectro-pneumatic source 16 may include an electro-pneumatic or magneticapply valve and an electro-pneumatic or magnetic release valve connectedtogether at a common output 17 are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,087.Even though a pair of valves may form the electro-pneumatic source ofpressure or atmosphere 16, a single valve may be used or any otherelectro-pneumatic control system to provide a desired equalizingreservoir pressure signal. The output 17 is connected to an equalizingreservoir transducer (ERT).

The output 17 is also provided as a first input to the equalizingreservoir pilot valve (PVER) 22. The other input is from atmosphere orexhaust (EX) on line 45. The output of the PVER 22 is provided on line19 to the ER 10. The pilot port or pilot line 23 of valve 22 isconnected to an output 27 of an electro-pneumatic or magnetic valve 24.A second pressure source at the input of 24 on line 21 is from the mainreservoir (MR) and through a choke or restriction C3. The restriction C3prevents the charging of the pilot port 23 when the penalty valveconnects the pilot port 23 to exhaust (EX) or atmosphere.

The equalizing magnetic valve (MVER) 24 is shown in its deactivatedcondition, wherein the pilot port 23 is connected to exhaust (EX). Uponactivation, the source is connected to the pilot valve 22 to move itfrom its shown exhaust position to its control pressure positionconnecting its output 19 to line 17. The control of theelectro-pneumatic source 16 determines the pressure provided through theopen pilot valve 22 to the ER 10. These connections and operations arewell known in the prior art, as shown in the previously discussedpatents.

Also, connected to pilot port 23 of the PVER 22 are pneumatic penaltyvalve 26 and/or electric or electro-pneumatic penalty valve 28 viapenalty pilot line 25. Both of the valves 26 and 28 are responsive to apenalty input signal to connect their respective outputs to penaltypilot line 25 to exhaust (EX). This removes the pilot signal from pilotport 23 of the PVER 22 causing it to return to the shown positionconnecting its output 19 and the ER 10 to atmosphere or exhaust (EX).This causes the brake pipe relay 12 to reduce the brake pipe pressurecausing a brake application.

The pressure value in the penalty pilot line 25 to pilot port 23 ismonitored by a penalty pressure transducer (PT) via line 27. This may beused in controlling the ER 10 using the electro-pneumatic source 16 andindicates that a penalty valve has been activated connecting the penaltypilot line 25 to exhaust (EX).

A controller 50 is provided. This controller provides all of the controlsignals to the various electro-pneumatic or magnetic valves and receivesfeedback from each of the transducers. Controller 50 is illustrated as asingle block and may be the controller of the brake system, which may bea single controller or may be plural distributive controllers. Portionsof the controller 50 may be on a module, which includes the controllerfor the ER 10 as illustrated in FIG. 9 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,284 withother portions of the controller 50 being part of a system controller.Controller 50 is also shown controlling the electro-pneumatic penaltyvalves. Again, this would generally be performed by the brake systemcontroller versus a distributive controller portion of the ER 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,087, the penalty pilotline 25 may be connected to the input 21 of the MVER magnetic valve 24instead of its input.

The operation of the system in FIG. 1 provides a pneumatic actuatedbraking in response to a penalty condition whether it is anelectro-pneumatically or pneumatically sensed penalty. The controller 50prevents a continuous exhaust of MR out of an open penalty valve. Thecontroller can detect a penalty condition via PT and act to de-energize(close) MVER valve 24, thereby preventing any further exhaust of air.This also prevents a continuous exhaust of air when the controller (andmagnetic valve 24) are in a powered off condition. This would allow anunpowered locomotive to be hauled unmanned with an open foot valve, forinstance.

FIGS. 2-4 show a modification to the equalizing reservoir system of FIG.1 to incorporate reduction limiting. While FIG. 2 show the use of areduction limiting reservoir and FIG. 3 shows an additional reductionlimiting magnetic valve, FIG. 4 show a combination of both in series.

The line 45 of the first pilot valve (PVER) 22 is provided as a firstinput to a reduction limiting pilot valve (PVRL) 62. The other input isline 63 which is from atmosphere or exhaust (EX). The output of the PVRL62 is provided on line 61 to a reduction limiting reservoir (RLR) 60.The pilot port or pilot line 65 of the PVRL 62 is connected to the pilotline 23 of the first pilot valve PVER 22.

In response to a penalty input on line 25, pilot line 65 is connected toexhaust. This removes the pilot signal of each the PVER 22 and the PVRL62 causing each to be in the shown position. In the shown position, line19 of the ER 10 is connected to line 45 from the PVER 22 to the input ofthe PVRL 62 and thus line 61 of RLR 60. The pressure within ER 10 willreduce into the volume of RLR 60. The pressure reduction within the ER10 is proportionate to the volumetric size relationship of the ER 10 tothe RLR 60. This will cause ER 10 to reduce a prescribed amount due to apenalty and thus not fully to atmosphere, thereby causing apredetermined brake application instead of a full or maximum brakeapplication.

As described in the prior art of FIG. 1, upon activation of theequalizing magnetic valve 24 and closure of the penalty valve 26/28,source pressure is connected to pilot lines 23 and 65 via line 27. ThePVER 22 shall move from its shown penalty position to its controlpressure position connecting its output 19 to line 17. Upon connectingsource pressure to pilot line 65, the PVRL 62 shall change from itspenalty position to connect its output line 61 to line 63 and exhaust(EX), thus depleting the pressure within the RLR 60 to restore fullpenalty reduction capability.

The use of a magnetic valve as the reduction limiting device isillustrated in FIG. 3. The output line 45 of the pilot valve (PVER) 22is provided as a first input to a penalty limiting magnetic valve (MVSP)64. The other input is line 67 which is from atmosphere or exhaust (EX).The penalty valve 26/28 is responsive to a penalty input to connect line23 to exhaust and thus remove the pilot signal to the PVER 22 causing aresponse to the shown position. In the shown position, line 19 of the ER10 is connected to line 45 from the PVER 22 to the input of the MVSP 64and thus line 67 to atmosphere or exhaust (EX). The pressure within ER10 will reduce to cause a braking.

Upon activation of the magnetic valve (MVSP) 64 input line 45 isdisconnected from line 67 to atmosphere or exhaust (EX). The pressurewithin ER 10 will cease to reduce and thus maintain the brakeapplication attained as long as the pilot valve 22 remains in theposition shown or penalty.

Subsequent de-activation of MVSP 64 will reconnect to line 45 toexhaust, thus further reducing ER 10 and allow a greater brakeapplication. Subsequent activation will cease reduction and maintain thebrake application attained. By the activation control of MVSP 64 duringthe purely override penalty operation of the system, the brakeapplication step increase may be controlled, maintained or fullyapplied.

The activation and deactivation of the MVSP 64 could be single source orvarious other designs. A simple method could be the activation of atiming relay by a pressure sensor within the pilot line 23 that wouldsupport a single step delay of equalizing reservoir prior to fullexhaust. Another method could be that of a controller, that may beintelligent, to control the steps either over time or sensor feedbackcontrol.

A combination of the reduction limiting devices or systems of FIGS. 2and 3 are shown in FIG. 4. The magnetic valve MVSP 64 is connected toline 45 between the pilot valve PVER 22 and the pilot valve PVRL 62.This provides the current limiting features of the current limitingreservoir 60 with the stepped or staged reduction and safety features ofthe magnetic valve MVSP 64.

FIG. 5 show the elements of a safety design through redundantcontrollers for the reduction limiting magnetic valve MVSP 64.

The activation system includes two distinct, independent controllers 66and 68. The controllers are electronic and may be of solid state ormicroprocessor intelligent technologies. Significant are that thesecontrollers are separate and independent with capable knowledge tocontrol the activation of MVSP 64. The controllers are arranged inseries with the MVSP 64 in a manner that a failure of one would notprevent the other from deactivating the MVSP 64.

As shown in FIG. 5 the MVSP 64 is deactivated. The electric source foractivation must first be allowed to pass through controller 66, asdetermined by its input requirements through closure of its switch,which may be solid state control or relay contacts, to the MVSP 64,through the activation circuit of the MVSP (coil) and allowed to passthrough controller 68 to attain source to return and thus activate theMVSP 64. Controller 68 like controller 66 determines by its distinctinput requirements the closure of its switch, which may be solid statecontrol or relay contacts. Similarly, the controllers in series mayactivate a single relay to control MVSP 64.

High level of safety is achieved in that the MVSP 64 must be activatedto prevent the application of braking. The controllers 66 and 68 areredundant, that is each must be in the activation mode to activate theMVSP 64. Failure of one in activation is overridden by the other. Therewould be several arrangements that would enhance the safety of thecircuitry as the series addition of independent locomotive safetydevices, such as cab signal, positive train control and vigilantsystems. All to prevent the activation of the circuitry and thus allowbraking to apply to the full potential.

Recovery of the pressure in the pilot port 23 results in the pilot valvePVER 22 disconnecting the equalizing reservoir ER 10 from atmosphere andconnecting it to the electro-pneumatic source of pressure 16. Whenpressure in the ER is actively in the stage of reducing and when apenalty override terminates, an abruptly reconnect to theelectro-pneumatic source 16 may cause an undesirable effect. The priorart options is to 1) stop the reduction from occurring any further or 2)delay the recovery of the pilot port pressure till full application ofbraking. Option 1 is not desirable as full application may not have beenattained and removes the selection of adding more braking through thecontrol of the electro-pneumatic source 16. Option 2 is not desired asthe time for assurance of full braking capability would be a restrictionto the overall operating system or control of the locomotive.

The present design allows for the connection of ER 10 to theelectro-pneumatic source 16 with no degradation to braking ability,expectation of the operator or inhibit to further application braking.The present design is applicable to any of the equalizing reservoircontrol system with an electro-pneumatic control including but limitedto those illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

In the prior art, the controller 50 has a responsibility in the recoveryof a penalty application. As described above, recovery of a penaltyrequires the restoration of supply pressure to pilot line 23. Supplysource pressure is not available unless the controller 50 has activatedthe MVER 24 to connect source line 13 to pilot line 23. The PPV or EPV26/28 must be activated to disconnect the pilot line 23 from atmosphereor exhaust. Only then may the pilot line 23 be allowed to developpressure and activate the PVER 22. The activated PVER 22 disconnectsexhaust or reduction limiting line 45 and connects the ER 10 line 19 toline 17 and thus the electro-pneumatic controller 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a determination is made at step 70 whetherrecovery is possible. If so the, controller 50 would delay activation ofthe MVER 24 through its logic to assure that the ER 10 has reducedsufficiently to assure a reliable application of braking. Prior toactivation of MVER 24 at step 74, the controller 50 disconnects each thesupply and exhaust of the electro-pneumatic controller 16 from line 17at step 72. Thus on the activation of the PVER 22 due to the developmentof pressure within line 25, the ER 10 would neither increase or decreasepressure, thereby maintaining the level of braking achieved.

The controller 50 would monitor the feedback level sensor PT anddetermine the activation state of the PVER 22 at step 76. Once theactivation was determined and on command of the operator to fullyrelease braking at step 78, then the controller 50 would allow theelectro-pneumatic controller 20 to increase, maintain and controlpressure within line 17 and thus ER 10 at steps 82 and 84.

In the present system as illustrated in FIG. 7, the controller 50 stillhas the responsibility in the recovery of a penalty application. Asdescribed in the prior art, the controller 50 activates the MVER 24 atstep 74, disconnects each the supply and exhaust of theelectro-pneumatic controller 16 at step 72, and monitors the feedbacklevel sensor PT to determine the activation state of the PVER 22 at step76. Next the system allows the electro-pneumatic controller 16 tomaintain, decrease or control pressure within line 17 and thus ER 10without the requirement of the operator to fully release braking as instep 78.

The controller 50 monitors the feedback level sensor PT to determine theactivation state of the PVER 22 at step 76. The controller 50 determineswhether the ER 10 is in connection via line 19 and PVER 22 to line 17and thus to the electro-pneumatic controller 16. If so, theelectro-pneumatic controller 16 has an integrated feedback level sensorthat the controller 50 determines the pressure on line 17 and thus thepressure within the ER 10 from the transfer ERT of the electro-pneumaticcontroller 16 at step 86. The controller 50 then sends a target ERsignal to the electro-pneumatic controller 16 equal to the feedbacklevel sensor value at step 88. However electro-pneumatic control 16 doesnot allow connections to source or exhaust to be made. Thispreconditions the closed loop control of the electro-pneumaticcontroller 16. The controller 50 determines the desired braking requestfrom the locomotive at step 82, which includes the operator and otherlogical requirements as the continuance of the penalty brake due torecovery needs. The electro-pneumatic controller 16 closed loop controlis actuated at step 84 to selecting connect to source and/or exhaust toline 17 to establishing full electro pneumatic control of braking.

This method provides a seamless transition from the override of ERcontrol function back to operator control, fully under the requirementsand rules of the standards well known in the industry. The safety of theoverride features are not compromised but enhanced as the disconnectionof source and exhaust at the electro-pneumatic controller prevent thepossibility of the undesired effects of pressure leakage. The operatoris not confused by a difference in operation and is less likely to overreact that could result in undesirable heavy braking effects.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is to be clearly understood that this is done by way ofillustration and example only and is not to be taken by way oflimitation. The scope of the present invention is to be limited only bythe terms of the appended claims.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A controller for an equalizing reservoir of a railbrake system which includes a brake pipe controlled by a relay valve inresponse to pressure in the equalizing reservoir, the controllercomprising: an electro-pneumatic source of pressure or atmosphereresponsive to an electrical equalizing pressure control signal; a firstpilot valve selectively connecting the electro-pneumatic source ofpressure or atmosphere at a first input or connecting a second input tothe equalizing reservoir in response to pressure in a pilot port of thefirst pilot valve; a first magnetic valve having a first input connectedto a second source of pressure, a second input connected to atmosphereand an output connected to the pilot port of the first pilot valve; apenalty valve connected to the pilot port of the first pilot valve andresponsive to a penalty signal to connect the pilot port to atmosphere;a second magnetic valve having a first input connected to the secondinput of the first pilot valve and an output connected to a third sourceof pressure lower than pressure in the equalizing reservoir, the secondmagnetic valve connecting the fourth valve's first input to the fourthvalve's output when deactivated in response to a penalty signal.
 16. Thecontroller according to claim 15, wherein the third source of pressureis a second reservoir.
 17. The controller according to claim 15, whereinthe third source of pressure is atmosphere.
 18. The controller accordingto claim 15, wherein the penalty valve and the second magnetic valve areresponsive to at least one of an electric penalty signal and a pneumaticpenalty signal.
 19. The controller according to claim 15, including apair of controls that must be active at the same time to energize thesecond magnetic valve.
 20. The controller according to claim 15, whereinthe electro-pneumatic source of pressure or atmosphere includes apressure transducer to measure the pressure in the equalizing reservoirand a closed loop system to control the pressure of the equalizingreservoir to the electrical equalizing pressure control signal.
 21. Thecontroller according to claim 20, wherein the electrical equalizingpressure control signal is initially set to the measured equalizingreservoir pressure after a penalty before activating the closed loopsystem.
 22. The controller according to claim 20 wherein the pressuretransducer is connected to the first input of the first pilot valve. 23.The controller according to claim 15, including a pressure transducerconnected to the pilot port of the first pilot valve and used for one ofcontrol of the first magnetic valve and an indication of an open toatmosphere penalty valve.